Fluorescent fixture



July 7, 1959 R. THALLON FLUORESCENT FIXTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed-Feb.21. 195s I NVENTOR. I ROBERT THA LLO/V gem ATTORNEY R. THALLONFLUORESCENT FIXTURE July 7, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 21, 1955INVENTOR. ROBERT THALLON ATTORNEY This invention relates to improvementsin fluorescent light fixtures.

The present invention provides an improved fluorescent light fixtureunit which is adapted for use either independently or in associationwith one or more adjoining units having identical -or similarconstructions. Each fluorescent light fixture unit embodies novel meanswhich permits the convenient extension of the electrical wires supplyingelectrical energy to the fluorescent tubes from one fixture unit toanother. The light fixture units each support two translucent plasticpanels which arearranged in an enclosing position beneath t-wofluorescent tubes,

the said translucent panels being capable of diffusing the light rays sothe area beneath is uniformly lighted.

An object of the present invention .is to provide an improvedfluorescent light fixture embodying a suitable enclosure having arectangular or other suitably shaped translucent panel supported in alight intercepting position below two fluorescent tubes, the said panelbeing adapted to diffuse the light emanating from the tubes and therebyuniformly light the area beneath.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved fluorescentlight fixture unit having a novel construction for supporting theelectrical wiring so it is held in an out-of-the-way, concealed positionwhere it may be extended from one light fixture unit to another.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel translucent lightdiffusing plastic panel having a novel shape and construction which is-so designed and constructed as to effect a uniform distribution oflight.

Other and further objects of my invention will be pointed outhereinafter, or will be indicated in the appended claims or will beobvious to one skilled in the art upon an undertsanding of the presentdisclosure. For the purpose of this application, I have elected to showherein certain forms and details of a fluorescent light fixture which isrepresentative of my invention; it is to be understood, however, thatthe embodiment of my invention herein shown and described is for thepurpose of illustration only and that therefore it is not to be regardedas exhaustive of the variations of the invention in the art.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a bottom view of a fluorescent light fixture unit embodying myinvention, showing parts broken away and in section;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken transversely through theunit, showing the hinged member used to support adjacent sides of twotranslucent panels;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail showing the means employed for releasablysecuring the hinged panel supporting member against downwarddisplacement;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of two fluorescent light fixture unitsarranged in side by side relationship, one

itcd States Patent of the units having two of its translucent panelsremoved;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a wire supporting and concealingmember;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the triangular brackets;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fig. 1 andFig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10--10 of Fig. 9.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated on the accompanyingdrawings an enclosure, preferably of rectangular shape, is shown ashaving a top side 1, opposed ends 2, 2 and Opposed sides 3, 3. The endsand sides are each provided with inwardly disposed flanges 2a and 3a,respectively, the said flanges lying in a substantially horizontalplane.

Secured to the top side 1 of the enclosure is an inverted, longitudinaltrough-like channel piece 4, which is arranged mid-way between the sides3, with its opposite ends abutting the ends 2, .2 of the enclosure. Thelower side of the trough-like channel piece is partially enclosed at itsends by permanently aflixed closure members 5, which in cross-sectionare substantially inverted V-shaped, the said closure members carryingrigid depending screws which are engaged by nuts to secure alongitudinal enclosing member 6 in an attached position extending acrossand closing the opening in the lower side of the trough-like channelpiece 4. The channel piece 4 normally encloses the electrical wires andtransformer used in the electrical system.

Hingedly secured at one of its ends to a flange 3a of a side 3 of theenclosure is an adjacent panel supporting bar 7 which is adapted toswing downwardly from a horizontal panel supporting position to an out--of-the-way position Where a panel may be inserted into the enclosureduring an installation operation or removed when a light tube is to bereplaced. The bar '7 is formed with panel supporting portions lying insubstantially the same horizontal plane of the flanges 2a and 3a andwith a longitudinal upstanding centrally disposed rib 7a which is.adapted to prevent the inward shifting of either of two supportedpanels, as will be later described. That end of the bar opposite itshinged end carries an upstanding globular fastener 8 which is adapted toenter an opening in a deformable resilient socket 9 secured to a side ofthe enclosure, when the bar is swung upwardly to its panel supportingposition. The tension of the socket against the globular fastener 55normally, but releasably, holds the bar in a horizontal position.

Secured against the ends 2, 2 of the enclosure are tube-sockets 10 whichsupport fluorescent light tubes .11 and provide terminals forelectrically" connecting the tubes to the electrical circuit.

Supported on the inwardly protruding flanges 2a and 3a and the bar 7 aretwo translucent light diffusing panels 12 of substantially the sameshape and size which are made preferably from thin vinyl plastic sheets.The panels each have a horizontal bottom surface 12a which is preferablyformed throughout its area with embossed protuberances and depressionswhich increase the rigidity of the panel. The panels each have beveledor outwardly inclined edges 12b connecting the outer edges of the bottomsurface 12a with outwardly disposed horizontal and co-planar flanges12:: that engage with and rest upon the flanges 2a and 3a of theenclosure and the bar 7. The flanges are preferably reenforced and mademore rigid by a metal edging, although if so desired, the rigidity ofthe flanges may be increased by other means, such as by increasedthickness of the plastic material forming the edge portions of theflanges. The inclined edges 12b of a ,panel 12 make it possible toinsert such panel through the opening in the enclosure when aninstallation is being made, and later when positioning the panel inplace with the flanges 12c thereof resting on the flanges 2a and 3a ofthe enclosure, such inclined edges 12b cause the panel to becomeautomatically and quickly guided into its correct enclosing positionwhereby all but its flanges project through and below the opening in theenclosure. As the panel drops downchannel member 17. The flanges 18,being resilient, are

snapped into place by forcing them upwardly against wardly into itssupported position, the inclined sides thereof come into contact withthe inwardly protruding flanges 2a and 3a and automatically guide thepanel into a position in which its-flanges 12c rest firmly on theflanges 2a and 3a.

The enclosure within which the light tubes, the electrical wiring andother parts of the fixture are housed is made preferably of sheet steelor other suitable, rigid material which is not apt to bend or becomedamaged when handled in the normal manner.

When two or more light units such as the one just described are arrangedin side-by-side adjoining relationship as shown on the drawings, meansof the type about to be described is used to secure rigidly the adjacentsides 3 of the two units firmly together. The

sides 3 of the enclosures are provided with correspondingly positionedholes near their opposite ends which, when the adjacent sides of twounits are placed in sideby-side relationship, are in registry with oneanother. Extending through such registering holes is a tubular bolt 13having an enlarged head at one end and an exteriorly threaded portionwhich is adapted to be engaged by a nut 14. The head of the tubular bolt13 bears against one side of a three-sided fitting 15 and the nut 14bears against the inside surface of the adjacent side 3 of an adjoiningenclosure, and upon the screwing of the nut on the tubular bolt the twoadjacent sides of the two enclosures and the fitting are securelyclamped together. The opposite ends of the sides of the two enclosuresare similarly secured together.

The three sided fitting 15 is formed with two rectangular sides 15a and15b of unequal areas and a lower triangular side 15c which joins therectangular sides and holds them in positions whereby one of suchrectangular sides is disposed at an acute angle with respect to theother. Electrical wires 16 which supply electrical current to thefluorescent tubes extend through the tubular bolt 13 from the interiorof one enclosure to the interior of the other. The wires extend througha suitable hole located in a side of the trough-like channel piece 4near an end of the latter and secured to such side'by a similar tubularbolt and nut is a similar three sided fitting 15. The two fittings 15are disposed with their triangular sides 15c facing downwardly, and theopenings between the diverging ends of the rectangular sides 15a and 15bfacing toward each other. The wires 16 extend diagonally from onetubular bolt 13 to the other, across a portion of the top side 1 of theenclosure, and into the channel piece 4. So as to conceal the wires fromview and support them in a position where they do not interfere with thefluorescent tubes and the installation or replacement.

thereof, I have provided means for accomplishing these results. Suchmeans embodies an elongated channel member 17 which underlies andsubstantially engages the top side 1 of the enclosure, the wires 16being enclosed within the channel of the said member and sup ported bythe horizontal elongated closed side thereof. The elongated horizontalside of the channel member is extended and bent at right angles to formdepending end flanges 18 which partially fit inside the openings betweenthe diverging ends of sides 15a and 15b of the fittings 15. The flanges18 are formed with outwardly protruding ears 19 which extend above andin engaging relation with the upper surfaces of the triangular sides 150of the fittings 15. The position of the ears 19 of the flanges 18 inoverlying engaging positions with respect to the triangular sides of thefittings 15 normally prevents the downward displacement of the the freeedges of the triangular sides of the fittings 15. The portions of thewires 16 which overlie the channel member are supported thereby andconcealed from view.

It is to be noted that adjacent sides 2 of two similar enclosures of twofixture'units may be formed with holes for the purpose of connectingsuch two enclosures together in the manner described, thereby alsomaking it possible for the electrical wires to extend from one enclosureto another. It is also to be understood that the bottom surfaces of thepanels 12, which are substantially fiat, may be formed with variousshapes or designs, or such surfaces may be smooth with no irregularitiesat all.

What I claim is:

1. In an electrical light fixture, an enclosure having a top side,depending opposed lateral sides and opposed ends, the said enclosurehaving a bottom opening and the sides and ends having inwardlyprotruding flanges, a longitudinal wire enclosing channel member mountedagainst the top side of the enclosure and having longitudinal sides,fluorescent tube supporting sockets arranged to opposite sides of thechannel member and adjacent the ends of the enclosure, one side of thechannel member and an adjacent lateral side of the enclosure having sideopenings therein, apertured fittings secured within the side openings ofthe channel member and the enclosure, the fitting secured within theopening in the side of the enclosure having means securing such side toa side of a similar enclosure, an elongated wire supporting channelelement extending between the fittings and having depending end flangessecured to and supported by the fittings, the said channel elementhaving a lower longitudinal bight-providing side and an enclosedelongated channel arranged in communication with the apertures of thefittings, and one or more translucent panels supported on the flanges ofthe ends and lateral sides of the enclosure, in an enclosing positionwith respect to the bottom opening of the enclosure.

2. In an electrical light fixture, an enclosure having a top side,depending opposed lateral sides and opposed ends, the said enclosurehaving a bottom opening, a wireenclosing housing mounted against the topside of the enclosure and having depending side walls, said housingbeing spaced laterally of at least one of said enclosure sides,fluorescent tube supporting sockets secured to the enclosure structureadjacent its ends and spaced inwardly of its sides, one side of thehousing and the laterally spaced side of the enclosure having sideopenings therein,

' channel element providing side walls and an intermediatewire-supporting bight wall defining an elongated channel arranged incommunication with the apertures of the fittings.

3. The structure of claim 2, and one of said fitting and channel elementmembers having yielding means engaging the other adjacent the end of thechannel member for disposing the channel member against the surface ofthe top side of said enclosure.

4. The structure of claim 2, and said wire enclosing housing comprisinga channel form member extending from adjacent one end of the enclosureto a point adjacent the other end.

5. The structure of claim 2, and said wire enclosing housing comprisinga channel form member extending 'from adjacent one end of the enclosureto a point closure side so as to facilitate end engagement of same withsaid fittings.

6. The structure of claim 2, and said channel element extendingdiagonally from said housing wall to said side enclosure wall, saidfittings having diagonally aligned channel element supporting portions,and the fittingengaging portion of the channel ends being yieldable toand from an operative fitting engagement position whereby the channelelement can be readily attached to and detached from the fittings.

7. In a fluorescent lighting fixtures comprising a first and a secondinverted box-like unit, each of said units providing a top wall anddepending side and end walls, and the first unit having an electriccurrent supply wirereceiving ballast housing adjacent its top wall andextending between its end walls, said housing having side walls andthere being fluorescent tube end-receiving sockets at opposite sides ofsaid wire-receiving housing and disposed below the plane of the housingtop, a side wall of said first unit disposed contiguous with a depending wall of said second unit; the combination of wiresupporting andconcealing means for branch wires leading from the wire-receivinghousing of the first unit for supplying electrical current for alighting tube of the second unit, the housing side wall and saidcontiguous unit walls having wire passage-providing openings extendingtherethrough, fittings incorporated in said wire supporting andjconcealing means and having wire passage pro viding portions securedwithin said wall openings, the contiguous unit wall-carried fittinghaving means securing said Walls together, a branch wire-supporting andconcealing member, fitting-provided supporting means for the latter andprojecting away from the related side walls of the housing and firstunit respectively, said fitting-provided supporting means removablysupporting opposite ends of the wiresupporting member so as to disposethe latter adjacent the top wall of said first unit above the plane ofsaid sockets, and said fitting-provided supporting means and adjacentwire-supporting member end providing a substantially concealed wireaccommodating space communieating with the wire passages of therespective fittings.

8. In a fluorescent lighting fixture comprising a first and a secondinverted box-like unit, each of said units providing a top wall anddepending side and end walls, and the first unit having an electriccurrent supply wirereceiving housing adjacent its top wall, said housinghaving side walls: and there being fluorescent tube end-receving socketsdisposed inwardly of opposite sides of said first unit adjacent each endwall thereof and below the plane of the housing top, a side wall of saidfirst unit disposed contiguous with a depending wall of said secondunit; the combination of wire-supporting and concealing means: forbranch wires leading from the housing of the first unit for supplyingelectrical current for a lighting tube of the second unit, the housingside wall and said contiguous unit walls having wire passageprovidingopenings extending therethrough, fittings incorporated in saidwire-supporting and concealing means and having wire passage-providingportions secured within said wall openings, the contiguous unitWall-carried fitting having means securing said walls together, a branchwire-supporting and concealing member, fittingprovided supporting meansfor the latter, and projecting away from the related side walls of thehousing and first unit respectively, said fitting-provided supportingmeans removably supporting opposite ends of the wire supporting memberso as to dispose the latter adjacent the top wall of said first unitabove the plane of said sockets, and the ends: of the wire supportingmember communicating with the wire passage of the related fitting.

9. In a fluorescent lighting fixture comprising a first and a secondinverted box-like unit, each of said units providing a top wall anddepending side and end Walls, and the first unit having an electriccurrent supply wirereceiving housing adjacent its top wall, said housinghaving side walls and there being fluorescent tube endreeciving socketsdisposed inwardly of opposite sides of said first unit adjacent each endwall thereof, a side wall of said first unit disposed contiguous with adepending wall of said second unit; the combination of wire-supportingand concealing means for branch wires leading from the housing of thefirst unit for supplying electrical current for a lighting tube of thesecond unit, the housing side wall and said contiguous unit walls havingwire passage-providing openings extending therethrough, fittingsincorporated in said wire-supporting and concealing means and havingwire passage-providing portions secured within said wall openings, thecontiguous unit wallcarried fitting having means supporting the adjacentsecond unit wall, a branch wire-supporting and concealing member,fitting-provided supporting means for the latter, and projecting awayfrom the related side walls of the housing and first unit respectively,said fitting provided supporting means removably supporting oppositeends of the wire supporting member so as to dispose the latter adjacentthe top wall of said first unit above the plane of said sockets, and theends of the wire supporting member communicating with the wire passageof the related fitting.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,233,495 Muckenhirn July 17, 1917 1,961,934 Klingsick June 5, 19342,250,276 Rutherford July 22, 1941 2,334,005 Hoeveler Nov. 9, 19432,336,414 Mitchell Dec. 7, 1943 2,511,764 Baxter June 13, 1950 2,525,315Schepmoes Oct. 10, 1950 2,623,160 McPhail Dec. 23, 1952 2,625,646 GoebelJan. 13, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 560,802 Great Britain Apr. 20, 1944

